UK Budget 2026: What Does It Mean for Small Businesses, Landlords and Taxpayers?
The Chancellor has delivered the Autumn Budget on the 28 th october, and there are several announcements worth paying attention to if you run a business, employ staff, earn rental income or are planning for the future.
At R&B Accountants, we’ve picked out some of the key points relevant to our clients including, changes to wages and savings, tax on rental income, to help you manage your money and plan ahead.

1. ISA Allowance: Good News for Savers
One of the announcements is that the annual Cash ISA allowance will remain at £20,000 from April 2027, rather than being reduced as previously planned.
ISAs allow eligible savings and investments to grow free from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax, subject to the relevant rules.
What does this mean for you?
If you use a Cash ISA to save for the future, you can continue to plan around the £20,000 annual allowance. The Budget also confirmed that the Government will explore a new incentive for people investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA for the first time.
It’s a useful reminder to review where your savings are held and make sure your arrangements suit your circumstances.
2. Tax on Rental Income Is Increasing
This is an important announcement for landlords, and it could impact you.
From 6 April 2027, the Income Tax rates applying to property income will increase by two percentage points across the basic, higher and additional rate bands in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The announced rates will be:
- Basic rate: 24%
- Higher rate: 44%
- Additional rate: 49%
These changes relate to the tax rates applied to property income, rather than an increase in the amount of rent you receive.
What does this mean for landlords?
Depending on your circumstances, you could pay more tax on your rental profits. It may be worth reviewing your expected rental income, allowable expenses and future plans before the changes take effect.
If you own several properties or are considering buying another, understanding the potential tax impact can help you make informed decisions.
It’s also worth remembering that the right approach will depend on your individual circumstances, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
4. Minimum Wage Increases: What Employers Need to Know
Employers will also need to prepare for changes to minimum wage rates.
From 1 April 2027, the announced rates will increase to:
- National Living Wage (age 21 and over): £13.21 per hour
- National Minimum Wage (ages 18–20): £11.27 per hour
- National Minimum Wage (ages 16–17 and eligible apprentices): £8.31 per hour
The accommodation offset will also increase to £11.53 per day.
These increases are intended to benefit workers, but they also mean employers should review their payroll budgets and staffing costs.
What does this mean for your business?
If you employ staff, now is a good time to think about how wage increases could affect your costs from April 2027.
Remember to consider the wider cost of employment too, including employer National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay and any overtime arrangements.
It’s also important to check that your payroll software and pay rates are updated correctly when the new rates come into force.
For businesses in construction, hospitality, retail and other industries employing
5. Pensioners: A New Pension Tax Allowance
The Budget announced a new Pension Tax Allowance from 6 April 2027.
It is intended to prevent pensioners whose total income is at or below the value of the full new State Pension from having to deal with small amounts of Income Tax arising because of State Pension increases.
The allowance will also taper for people whose income is slightly above that level.
Separately, the Government confirmed that the State Pension will continue to rise under the Triple Lock until April 2029. From April 2030, the system is due to be adjusted so that increases will be linked to the highest of 2.5%, inflation or the amount needed to maintain its value relative to earnings as reached in April 2029.
What does this mean for you?
If you are approaching retirement or already receiving a pension, it’s worth keeping an eye on how your State Pension and any private pension income fit together.
Your total income can affect whether you need to pay tax and how much you owe, so reviewing your position can help you plan for retirement with greater confidence.
6. A Higher Trading Allowance for Small Side Incomes
There is also good news for people earning smaller amounts from trading or miscellaneous activities.
From 6 April 2027, the Trading Allowance will increase from £1,000 to £3,000 a year.
This allowance can cover certain small amounts of trading or miscellaneous income, subject to the rules.
What does this mean for you?
If you earn extra income alongside your main job, this could mean more income can fall within the allowance before Income Tax applies.
However, it’s important not to assume that the allowance automatically removes every reporting requirement. The rules depend on the type of income and your circumstances, so check whether you still need to report it to HMRC.
If you’re self-employed or running an established business, the allowance is not a replacement for keeping proper business records and understanding your tax obligations.
7. What Should Small Businesses Do Now?
Not every Budget announcement requires immediate action, and some changes will need further legislation or guidance before they take effect. However there are a few sensible steps business owners can take now:
- Speak to your accountant: If you’re unsure how an announcement affects you, getting advice before a change takes effect can help you plan.
- Review your budget: Consider whether changes to wages or other running costs could affect your business.
- Plan for tax: Landlords and people with taxable savings income should understand how the announced rate changes could affect future liabilities.
- Keep your records up to date: Accurate records make it easier to review profits, expenses and tax liabilities.
- Check your payroll: Make a note of the new minimum wage rates and plan for the April 2027 changes.
Final Thoughts
The Autumn Budget 2026 includes changes affecting savers, landlords, employers and people planning for retirement. Some changes will not take effect until April 2027 or later, so there is time to understand what they mean and prepare.
The most important thing is to look beyond the headlines and consider how the announcements affect your own circumstances.
At R&B Accountants, we help construction businesses, property developers, landlords and small businesses make sense of their finances with clear, practical advice.
Got questions about how the Budget could affect you or your business? Get in touch with R&B Accountants - we’re happy to help you understand what comes next.
